The Maple Leafs seem to have moved beyond the possibility of trading Tyler Bozak, and could be turning their thoughts to acquiring a veteran goalie or defenceman for the stretch run.

Bozak’s name continually has surfaced in trade rumours as the NHL’s April 3 trade deadline approaches. Bozak and teammate Clarke MacArthur are the Leafs’ prime potential unrestricted free agents this off-season, so much of the talk is generated around the notion that they could trade them rather than lose them to free agency with no return.

Bozak is relaxed despite the trade talk; he has been hearing it for two seasons now, and much more intensely this season, so there’s an element of familiarity that comes with it.

“You hear that stuff all the time in this market and it just comes with the territory . . . I think we’re playing great as a team now and I want to focus on that,” the centre said recently. “I hope things work out for us and I’d love to stay here (in Toronto).”

The scenario that is shaping up is that the Leafs will keep Bozak and MacArthur and re-sign them in the summer. While that can change, the Leafs appear to be set to finish this season with the current roster, one they anticipate will peak at playoff time, rather than disturb it with trades down the stretch.

Goaltending, though, takes on its own specific requirements as the deadline approaches. The Leafs are happy with the tandem of James Reimer and Ben Scrivens, but they would be vulnerable down the stretch if one of them were to be injured.

That could be addressed through a trade for a veteran backup such as the Florida Panthers’ Scott Clemmensen, 35, who served that purpose for the Leafs five years ago.

In the meantime, Bozak and MacArthur realize they can’t rest too easy. The Leafs are listening to all offers and are exploring trades with the aim of making the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

While reports suggest the Leafs remain in need of — or are interested in—a big centre and a veteran defenceman, general manager Dave Nonis has said he “has no problem” with keeping UFA players through the deadline, and working on new contracts at a later date.

If Nonis does make a trade, he said it’s highly unlikely the move would be for a rental-type player.

General managers’ eyes are focused on the Calgary Flames and their veteran stars, Jarome Iginla, Mikka Kiprusoff, and Jay Bouwmeester.

Bouwmeester, a 29-year-old defenceman, could be a potential fit with the Leafs.

Talk has also linked the Leafs to Kiprusoff, but reports Tuesday said the 36-year-old goalie has told the Flames he will not report to a new team if he is traded. Kiprusoff’s wife gave birth to a son this past week.

On defence, the Leafs would seem to have plenty of depth, but there is an argument that Jake Gardiner and Mike Kostka could be vulnerable in playoff-level competition.

Nonis has said he doesn’t feel “compelled” to make a move by the deadline, or get Bozak and MacArthur signed by that time.

Ultimately, though, Nonis could view Bozak as either an attractive piece to a trade, or a valuable asset to the organization.

After seeming to be unfit for the role as the top centre, Bozak has settled comfortably into his post between Phil Kessel and James Van Riemsdyk (or Joffrey Lupul). He has even erased talk from previous seasons about his viability as Kessel’s centre and has become one of the NHL’s top faceoff men.

In fact, Bozak and Kessel have become close friends off the ice. Kessel now regards Bozak as something of a pillar in his off-ice life, a friend and confidante.

The 27-year-old Bozak is making $1.5 million in the final season of his contract and likely in line for a boost to as much as $5 million. He compares favourably with Mikhail Grabovski, whom the Leafs signed to a five-year deal last year that pays $5.5 million annually.

The Leafs were in a similar situation with MacArthur in 2010-11 and avoided UFA status by signing him to a one-year, $1.1-million deal. MacArthur, 27, surrounded by trade talk ever since, was extended in 2011-12 on a two-year, $6.5-million deal.

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